KUCHING, Malaysia - The Filipino-Chinese Veterans Basketball Association (FCVBA) lorded over the 24th ASEAN Seniors Basketball Tournament once again by winning all three age divisions, including two via sweep, Saturday at the MBKS Stadium here.
Crowd-favorite Zotico Tan, 70, came through with yet another clutch plays highlighted by a completed steal in the third quarter to help power the 60 years squad to the championship following a 44-37 win over Meteor-Pontianak of Indonesia.
Aside from ending a two-year title drought, the championship was doubly sweet for the Eduard Tio-mentored 60s as they reclaimed the crown by completing a four-game sweep of their division in the tournament for players with Chinese blood.
The title was the first for the amiable Tio in the event that gathered 22 teams, including eight each in the 40s and 50s.
Tan, a former MICAA player from Cebu, and ex-University of the East star Julio Cruz shared the scoring honors with 12 points each, while Kenneth Yap and Israel Catacutan combined for 15 points for the team sponsored by Rain or Shine’s co-team owner Terry Que, Ironcon Builders big boss Jimi Lim, and Freego.
The 40s, starring Benny Cheng, Jean Alabanza, Estong Ballesteros, Jack Santiago, Joseph Realista, Louie Kaw, and Lorencio Lim, also swept their division by winning all their five games capped by an 86-67 drubbing of host city Hornbill.
While the 40s won in runaway fashion, the 50s went through the wringer before pulling off a 57-55 win – big thanks to the efforts of Ng Yuk Chi, Benet Palad, Achit Kaw, Jerry Gonzales, Gerry Tee, Aldo Perez, Andrew Ongteco, Lawrence Chongson, and Sonny Cabatu.
It was Ng Yuk Chi who emerged the biggest star of the night as he scored on a putback with just 1.8 seconds left to complete the come-from-behind win.